The Link King

Logo by Reid Psaltis (www.reidpsaltis.com/)

Record Linkage and Consolidation Software

In the realm of record linkage and unduplication software (aka. dedupe software), The Link King reigns supreme. The Link King has fashioned a powerful alliance between sophisticated probabilistic record linkage and deterministic record linkage protocols incorporating features unavailable in many proprietary record linkage programs. (detailed overview (pdf))

The Link King’s probabilistic record linkage protocol was adapted from the algorithm developed by MEDSTAT for the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration’s (SAMHSA) Integrated Database Project. The deterministic record linkage protocols were developed at Washington State’s Division of Alcohol and Substance Abuse for use in a variety of evaluation and research projects.

The Link King’s graphical user interface (GUI) makes record linkage and unduplication easy for beginning and advanced users. The data linking neophyte will appreciate the easy-to-follow instructions. The Link King’s artificial intelligence will assist in the selection of the most appropriate linkage/unduplication protocol. The technical wizard will appreciate the discussion of data linkage/unduplication issues in The Link King’s user manual, the variety of user-specified options for blocking and linkage decisions, and the powerful interface for manual review of “uncertain” linkages.

The Link King requires a base SAS license but NO SAS programming experience. If you have a SAS dataset, a SPSS portable file, an EXCEL spreadsheet, or a comma/tab delimited file, The Link King can do the rest.
The Link King v6.4 requires SAS v9.0 or higher but v6.3 is compatible with SAS v8.

Best of all, download The Link King for FREE !

Data Elements Used in Linking

Required:

• First Name
• Last Name
• Date of Birth or SSN

Recommended:

• Middle Name (or initial)
• Maiden Name
• Gender
• Race/Ethnicity